My name is Bill, and I've just joined the forum with the aim of learning how to sail/crew a Hobie Cat before I buy one. I've thought Hobie's were the coolest since I was a kid some 30-35 years ago, and it's now time to take the plunge!

Although I've crewed on a couple of 32+ foot sailboats while racing on the Great Lakes, I don't really know much at all about sailing (except to very energetically execute barked out orders! Hah). I understand the basic concept of harnessing the wind, but the hardware, terminology, etc. are at this point largely (but not completely) foreign.

I've sent an email to the membership director of Hobie Fleet 61 (Denver) saying pretty much the same, but figured I'd introduce myself and see if there's anyone in the Boulder/Denver area on the forum.

before I purchased my boat, I asked folks on these boards how to sail and they pointed me to a book, sailing for dummies. And while it might have more than you need to know, it covers a great deal of what you NEED to know. And it does so without being boring. I think it is worth the read.